Many children have special physical, psychological, and medical needs. Some of those children qualify to receive Social Security disability benefits. In southern California, if your child has special needs, an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer can help you determine if your child qualifies to receive benefits, and if so, help you obtain those benefits.
Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income – SSI – is difficult. SSI is a needs-based benefit program, so your household income must fall below a certain monthly level. It’s a complicated formula that takes into consideration the size of your household, your regular monthly bills, and other aspects of your family’s finances. If your family qualifies financially, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will then determine if your child meets the medical requirements. The SSA looks at your child’s medical records and determines how impairments limit your child’s ability to function in six different situations or environments that the SSA calls “domains”:
- acquiring and using information
- attending and completing tasks
- interacting and relating with others
- moving about and manipulating objects
- caring for yourself
- health and physical well-being
In most cases, initial applications for benefits are denied, but there is an appeals process. If you have already applied for benefits for your child, and your application was rejected, let an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer handle your appeal. If you have not applied for benefits, let a Social Security disability attorney help you from the start. An attorney who routinely advocates for benefits for the disabled will know what it takes to win the benefits that you and your child need and deserve.
The biggest mistake you can make is giving up too soon. Don’t let that first rejection rattle you. It’s routine. Even though the appeals process is long and sometimes frustrating, it’s the way most parents with special-needs children obtain SSI benefits. If you are the parent of a special-needs child, discuss your case at once with an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer. Again, it’s a long process, so don’t procrastinate – make the call promptly.